1/8 
Japan and the Japanese, 
the National Bible Society of Scotland, obtain their supplies 
from the agent of the American Bible Society, at cost 
price. A public service of thanksgiving, was held on 
April 19th, 1880, to celebrate the publication of the com- 
pleted New Testament in Japanese. Fourteen different 
missionary societies were represented, and the services, 
which were interesting and enthusiastic, lasted over three 
hours. Nearly all the missionaries resident in Yokohama, 
of every society represented there, assisted in the work of 
translation ; and of its quality and correctness, the Report 
of the Presbyterian Board speaks thus : " Great satisfaction 
is expressed at the complete translation of the New Testa- 
ment into Japanese. It is regarded as one of the best 
translations ever made. This is partly owing to the su- 
perior scholarship, and other good qualifications of the 
native gentlemen engaged in the work, still more to the 
excellent labours of the representatives of mission boards, 
and most of all, to the able, penitent, and faithful services 
of the senior member of our mission." This edition was 
published by the simultaneous efforts of the three Bible 
Societies now working in Japan ; viz., American, British and 
Foreign, and Scotch. 
A convention of Protestant missionaries was held at 
Tokio, in May, 1878, to consider more fully, the question 
of preparing a translation of the Old Testament. The dif- 
ferent books were allotted to a considerable number of 
translators and missionaries connected with the various 
missionary societies. As the result, we are told that three 
of the minor prophets have been published ; the Book of 
Joshua is said to be passing through the press, while the 
Psalms will shortly be issued. Thus, it is not too much to 
hope that before very long we shall hear of the Japanese 
possessing a full and complete translation ot the Bible. 
